RESUMO
Structural organisation of solvent-dispersed imogolite nanotubes accelerated their electrical response, resulting in birefringence variations analogous to a liquid crystal system. Crosslinking, confinement, and helical structuring of the imogolite nanotubes in the solvent led to the cooperative aggregation and dissociation of the dispersed nanotubes, which induced rapid changes in their birefringence.
RESUMO
We report a quasi-solid electrolyte comprising a transparent thixotropic gel swelled by an ionic liquid that is formed by a framework of single-walled aluminosilicate cylindrical inorganic "imogolite" nanotubes. The quasi-solid electrolyte shows moldability, thermal stability, and high ionic conductivity, and has potential applications in free-moldable conductive and anti-icing coatings, or electrolytes for batteries.